I Felt it in My Fingers First–Part 3 (Hippie Massage School) 5/5 (44)

QUESTION: What do a microcurrent device, a laser, and a hippie massage therapist have in common?

Read on, and I’ll tell you!

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Screen Shot 2014-10-15 at 12.09.42 PMHaving NEVER given a massage before, and only received one massage in my life, I went to a hippie massage school in Santa Barbara, California–The School of Intuitive Massage and Healing. I was completely out of my comfort zone. Imagine “conservative mother of eight” going to massage school. The director of the school interviewed me to see if I would fit into their program by feeling the “energy” coming off the bottom of my feet. Apparently, my energy radiated “just far enough” for her to let me in.

Imagine the scenario:

  • We began class walking barefoot on the grass to “connect with the earth.”
  • I used to hide in the closet to take off my clothes, then come out wrapped up like I was going to a toga party.
  • Many would chant and do “energy dances” around one another to clear their “energetic fields.”
  • We sat in circles on round pillows to “meditate” and “share our feelings” before and after each class.

This “energy stuff” was all very new to me. I’m not even sure exactly how I wound up at that school–except that it fit into my schedule and my budget. I did know my intention was to learn how to give a massage as quickly as possible and get out of there. I had goals of professionalism and I was pretty sure most of my classmates were a bit crazy.

Though I didn’t know much about that “energy stuff.” But I did know this. IF it was real, I didn’t want anything to do with it; AND I surely didn’t want any of THEM messing with mine! Needless to say, I kept my distance and tried desperately to pretend I was a fly on the wall when they “played energy games.”

1-Fullscreen capture 10302014 45203 PMOn our very first practice massage session, we were asked to pair up with a partner. I looked around the room and didn’t feel comfortable with too many people, except maybe Penelope. Penelope was an older, round, robust, curvy woman with long, silver, braided, curly hair.

Although she was one of the “energy dancers,” I kind of liked her because she had a nice smile and an infectious giggle. I quickly paired up with her because she seemed somewhat harmless and I was afraid some of the other students (like the guy who had a hole in his pants and wore no underwear or the vegan girl who only wore dirty pajamas wherever she went) might try to choose me.

The rules of our first massage were simple. Do whatever you want. Let your hands slide over the body. See where they guide you. Feel the bumps, curves, valleys, and temperature changes. Notice where your hands want to go.

Since this would be my first time giving a massage and my second time receiving a massage, I let Penelope massage first. I’m not even sure what happened—except that I fell asleep and melted into puddle of butter. When I woke up I felt like a buttered noodle.

Then it was my turn. Penelope had plenty of curves for me to explore, and her body was warm and fluffy. Her hair was wild and her head was squishy. I had no idea what I was doing and don’t really remember much. The only thing I DO remember was what Penelope said when I was done. As she sat up, she slowly shook her head and said:

“Honey, you’ve got a gift and you don’t even know it…”

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I had no idea that my experience at the School of Intuitive Massage and Healing would eventually bless my life in so many ways. After graduation, I opened the “professional” massage clinic I’d planned. Over time I began feeling more than I understood while massaging. My hands began to tingle and feel alive. I didn’t know why, but I had to find out more. This led me to go back for advanced training courses at that very same school, and eventually to a plethora of other healing modality courses.

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FAST FORWARD 10 years

By the time I graduated from acupuncture school, feeling energy through my fingers had advanced to feeling it through needle manipulation. Aligning the needle into the point was similar to aligning my finger on a knot while doing massage. Using this skill helped me quickly progress as an experienced acupuncturist.StimPlus Pro

FAST FORWARD 5 more years

Now I’m a seasoned practitioner. One day I was experimenting with the Stimplus Pro for shoulder pain. Just as the Stimplus Pro made the typical buzzing sound when it was on the right point, I felt my whole hand come alive.

I learned at that moment I could adjust the angle of the Stimplus Pro, just like I do with needles (and my fingers).

I was amazed when I felt that old familiar feeling in my hands come through an electrical device!


Couldn’t believe it!

I don’t know why this discovery was so surprising to me. You’d think I’d learned to accept that I could feel energy by now!

I had to try an experiment. If I felt energy in my hand when I was using the Stimplus Pro, would I feel it while treating with the laser too?

YES! When I tilted the angle to the exact right position, I could feel the point releasing. It was amazing!

So, back to my original QUESTION

What do a microcurrent device, a laser, and a hippie massage therapist have in common?

ANSWER: You can feel energy through all of them!

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Recently, I did an interview with Robin Green, L.Ac. We discussed what I feel in my hands when using Laser and the Stimplus Pro. I think you will enjoy it. Click on the picture below. (The video is only 2 1/2 minutes long…)

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SINCE THEN….

I’ve met several practitioners who can feel what I feel. And you know what? When they are being treated with the Stimplus Pro or laser–they report feeling energy move through the channel. (It’s really fun to watch their reaction when I do a demo on them.)

Final QUESTION: If you and I met, would you think I was crazy?

It’s okay if you do. Sometimes I think it’s crazy that I can feel this stuff too; but–I can’t deny it. I really do!

The massage school I went to in Santa Barbara doesn’t even exist anymore. I’m so grateful it was my foundation. I’d love to meet Penelope again and thank her!

Here’s a challenge for you…

I know many of you can feel energy when you put your finger on an acupuncture point. Many more can even feel a shift when they are manipulating needles. I challenge you to explore the possibilities with your Stimplus Pro or Laser. 

It’s exciting to be working in the field of energy medicine. I’m sure my story will continue to evolve. Can you imagine the stories we’ll share FIVE YEARS from now? Technology is expanding and so are our possibilities.

We, my friends, are lucky to be on the cutting edge!

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Expert-GraphThis series isn’t quite over. Watch for Part 4…

If you missed Part 1, click here: I Felt it in My Fingers First—Part 1 (Entry Exit Points)

If you missed Part 2, click here: I Felt it in My Fingers First–Part 2 (Kimberly was a BAD Student)

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Have a great day!

 .

Kimberly Thompson, L.Ac.

Acupuncture Research Analyst

Miridia Technology

kimberly@miridiatech.com

@acukimberly

 

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Dr. Kimberly Thompson, DACM, L.Ac.

Dr. Kimberly Thompson, DACM, L.Ac. is a US licensed acupuncturist in the state of Idaho and certified in the treatment of acupuncture, Oriental medicine and Chinese herbology by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Kimberly wears multiple hats in the acupuncture community. She owns her private clinic, Meridian Family Acupuncture. She has spent the last 10 years working for Miridia Technology as an acupuncture Research Analyst–where she helps plan, develop, and integrate modern diagnostic and treatment tools for the ever-evolving scientific world of acupuncture. Kimberly is a world-renown teacher, blogger, columnist, and mentor in the acupuncture community.

4 Replies to “I Felt it in My Fingers First–Part 3 (Hippie Massage School)

  1. Your articles are not only inspirational but educative to the letter. How can one actually feel this energy stuff you just spoke of as an Acupuncturist?

    1. Hello Ambi,

      I’m glad you enjoy my articles. Personally, I feel like the tool is just a bridge feel Da Qi through. I’m not sure why it surprised me. The funny thing is, I’ve been surprised every step of the way. Surprised when I felt it as a massage therapist, surprised when it lapsed over into feeling it though needles, and then again through electrical devices.

      Once I stopped feeling surprised, it just became a natural part of what I do. Now, I EXPECT to feel qi in whatever I do. So—I guess my advice is to EXPECT to feel it. Look for it. Notice the little changes in sensation you feel in your hands. If you can feel Da Qi through needles, you can learn to feel it in other ways too.

      Good luck! I’d love to hear feedback on your experiences.

      ~Kimberly

  2. Hi Kimberly,

    THANK YOU for sharing your experiences!! I too feel the energy in my hands and have become quite accustomed to it. Since using the Stimulus Pro and Lasers, I didn’t expect to feel it (not sure why, just didn’t associate using something other than my hands with feeling energy)…and voila, every once in a while, I would get that “feeling” and wonder if I was imagining it. I’m excited to go experiment a bit more with both and EXPECT it!!

So, what do you think about it?